Reunited and it Feels So Good

Artorias could see the way his words were effecting Bowen. His sweet sable sister, moved to misty eyes simply by him being truthful. No matter how bad Bowen had gotten before, she had never been wretched to him. She had never been disgusting or repulsive or loathsome. On the contrary, Bowen's plight had broken Artorias' heart. He wanted so desperately to help her and put her back together, but what she needed had been beyond his control. Whatever happened to Bowen out in the wilderness on her own, it had been just what she needed to put herself back in order—if not better than she ever had been. Artorias gave Bowen a knowing look when she replied to him in their mother tongue, claiming he had always been the one for her. He knew, but he never tired of hearing her say it. Each time made his heart race and reminded him of why the struggle and the pain had been worth it.

Bowen slid closer to him when he teased her, bringing her body closer to his until he felt the brush of her chest pressing into his. Fiery amber eyes shone with a life that hadn't been in them since she had left the Hallows. Bowen would always possess a piece of his heart, and without her no amount of joy he felt would ever make him 100% complete. Bowen nuzzled his chest, caramel and cream cheeks rubbing into sapphire blue fur while she gazed up at him with pleading emerald eyes. The words she whispered up to him brought a tender smile to the dire brute's face. She didn't need to ask him twice. Artorias craned his neck down to plant a loving lick across Bowen's crown before strong forelimbs lifted to wrap around her svelte sides, lifting her petite form up and holding her tight to his chest. With Bowen wound up in his arms, Artorias collapsed backwards until he was lying belly up in the soft grasses, Bowen cradled on top of him as he held her to his body.

With the stillness of the night around them, Artorias held Bowen like they were the only two wolves left in the world. A warm breeze rippled gently across the coastal lands, the clear sky a canvas of sparkling stars that served as her backdrop. But Artorias' eyes were only ever on Bowen. Giant azure paws roamed freely over the petite fae's lithe sides, feeling over her lean, taut muscles from hips to shoulders, occasionally bringing one paw up to stroke a digit or two over her cheek. He followed the copper marking around her eye, down over her cheek and neck, content to revel in her presence now that she was home again. "Mereu," he whispered in reply, his low voice a husky rumble as he spoke to her. He left Bowen perched atop of him, allowing the diminutive lady free rein to move and settle herself over him however she wished. It had been far too long since he'd had Bowen with him like this. This was Artorias' way of welcoming her home and showing her just how loved and missed she had been.

"Artorias" | "Carpathian"